DAFNE

Problem

The scarcity of water resources in Africa is a constant source of conflict between sectors and countries. Communication between the sectors is limited and a common source of information on potential uses of water and the consequences of such use on other sectors is completely missing. As a result, the sustainability of the ecosystem and peace in the region are threatened.

My responsibilities

Solution

In close collaboration with a diverse network of stakeholders from various sectors (e.g. water, energy, agriculture, tourism) in two basins in Africa (Omo-Turkana basin and Zambezi river basin), the information necessary for model building and simulation of alternative scenarios for water uses in the regions was collected, in order to be analyzed with specifically developed models. The dashboard we developed was used to communicate the results of the simulation models and to create shared meaning on the consequences of water use among the stakeholders from various backgrounds, as well as stimulate discussions on finding a compromise solution.

The project was carried out at the European Institute for Participatory Media in collaboration with a broad network of partners in Europe and Africa. Funded by the Horizon 2020 programme of the European Union, GA no. 690268

User Feedback

“This tool shows that we need to coexist with other sectors, it opens my eyes that I should not only be thinking in one direction”.

stakeholder from Omo-Turkana basin

“The tools are useful for water resources planning, not only the basin scale, but also local catchment scale, a strong follow up to use these tools for long-term and short-term strategic planning of how water resources should be operated in the country.“

stakeholder from the Zambezi basin

„Interaction with the tools is very interesting, very user-friendly, they show real data and allow interaction, they are very useful tools not only for Omo-Turkana basin, but also for other transboundary basins in the world."

stakeholder from the Omo-Turkana basin